UHV ranked among best student/teacher ratios in state

The University of Houston-Victoria recently was ranked as having one of the best student-to-teacher ratios of accredited universities in Texas.

The Online College Database, a nonprofit organization providing free higher education information, ranked UHV No. 14 in the state in a category that includes elite private universities. Among four-year public universities, the organization ranked UHV third in Texas.

The university's student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, and its preliminary fall enrollment number is 4,516 students.

UHV President Phil Castille said an ongoing goal of the university is to offer small class sizes along with low tuition and fees.

"We work hard to keep our overhead costs low so that our students can get the personalized attention they need to succeed," Castille said. "By keeping our student-to-teacher ratio low, UHV enables students to have closer relationships with their professors and gain more access to any help they might need. We rank very close to elite private schools like Rice, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and Baylor."

Yemi George, a sophomore biology major from Houston, said she has benefited from the small class sizes at UHV.

"I like that my professors know my name," she said. "Many of them give one-on-one attention to students and even give out their contact information in case a student needs help outside of the classroom. They are not only helpful but accessible when it comes to teaching students."

UHV is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is headquartered in Atlanta and serves an 11-state region.

The Online College Database collects data from U.S. federal governmental entities such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau. The organization publishes its free information about educational options both nationally and locally to students, parents and other interested parties.